Theodor lxssig  and adolf pfretzschner



(No Modfel.)

T. LKSSIG 8a A. PPRETZSOHNER. CLARINET.

No. 488,656. Patented Dec. 2'7, 1892.

A I al my UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Tl'lEODOR LASSIG AND ADOLF PFRETZSOHNER, OF MARKNEUKIRCHEN, GERMANY.

CLARINET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 488,656, dated December27, 1892. Application filed May 31, 1892. Serial No. 435.006. (N0model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, THEODOR LlisSIG and ADOLF PFRETZSCHNER, subjects ofthe King of Saxony, both residents of Markneukirchen, in Voigtland, inthe Kingdom of Saxony, German Empire, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Clarinets, of which the following is an exactspecification.

Our invention relates to an improved clarinet, which is characterized bythe following novel features: First. A hole is provided between thelower conical opening of the instrument and the last of the keys.Second. All the keys are placed nearer the mouth-piece than ininstruments of usual construction. Third. With several of the keys thereare combined additional keys in such manner, that they are operated inconjunction with the same, as more clearly stated hereinafter.

The object of our improvements is to raise the pitch of the tonesemitted from the instrument, and also to secure a clear sounding ofcertain notes.

Our invention will be more readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, which show a clarinet embodying our improvements,the mouth-piece being broken off, and the view showing only those keyswhich form part of our invention, the other keysbeing constructed in theusual manner. The instrument is a O-clarinet.

Near the lower end of the instrument we have provided a hole a, which isnot found in clarinets of usual construction, furthermore the keys areall placed nearer the mouth-piece than hitherto. In the third place wehave provided two auxiliary keys 0 and d. The key 0 is placed betweenthe O-or octavekey and the A-key, and provided with a spring which tendsto open the same. The octave key I) and the A-key are both provided withsmall pins or studs cf which keep the auxiliary key 0 closed, the keys Aand 0 being themselves kept closed in the usual manner by means ofsprings. The other auxiliary key d is provided with a lever h pivoted at'i and operating the Bkey. By this arrangement the key 0. is kept openas long as the B-key is closed, and when the latter'is opened, theauxiliary key 01 is automatically closed; The addition of the hole a hasthe effect of raising the pitch of the notes produced by theinstrument.This effect is still increased by placing the holes and keys of theinstrument nearer to the mouth-piece than hitherto, and by suitablelocation of the holes it is possible to raise the tones of theinstrument by one step with regard to those emitted from an instrumentof usual construction and of the same length. That is to say, a 0-, D-or F-clarinet of our improved construction may have the same length as aB-flat, O or E fiat clarinet 0f the usual construction. The O-key b isplaced at the same point where it was located hitherto, thus the play onourimproved instrument presents no difficulty.

We will particularly mention that though the pitch of the notes emittedfrom our instrument is raised, the timbre of the same is not changed.and this is a very important feature, as hithereto the timbre of thehigherpitched clarinets was not as satisfactory as that of lower-pitchedinstruments, and by our improvements the ad vantages of the latter aresecured in the former. Our invention presents therefore the specialadvantage that the character of the tones is a very agreeable one, andmoreover it is possible to make the higherpitched instruments of thesame length as those of lower pitch, which will be found very convenientby musicians.

The purpose of the auxiliary key 0 is the following: When both keys I)and the A-key are operated by depressing the corresponding levers, boththe pins 6 and f are raised, and the key 0 is opened by the springoperating the same. Thus the three keys are opened and the note B-fiatis produced. The tone is emitted perfectly pure and clear.

The object of the auxiliary key d is a similar one. WVe have alreadystated that this key is opened only when the B-key is closed, and isclosed by means of the levers h and 9 when the B-key is opened, thishaving the effect of securing a pure emission of the note B.

Of course when our improvements are applied to other clarinets thanO-clarinets, the notes to which the auxiliary keys 0 and d correspondare changed, but in each case the said keys belong to the sixth. andseventh. notes of the scale respectively.

Having thus fully described the nature of these keys beingactuated bymeans of springs, in the manner and for the purpose specified.

4-. In. a clarinet, the auxiliary key (d), having a lever (g), incombination with the seventh-key, having a long lever (h), substantiallyand for the purpose as described.

In testimony whereof We have signed this specification in the presenceof two subscribin witnesses.

THEODOR LASSIG. ADOLF PFRETZSOIINER. Witnesses:

OSCAR GOT'I. SCHALK, \VILLIAM KRAFT.

